NEW YORK – We can call FAU the mecca of men’s basketball right now.
The ninth-seeded Owls (35-3) punched their ticket to the Final Four for the first time in school history after holding off the third-seeded Kansas State Wildcats (29-7 final record) in a thrilling 79-76 win at Madison Square Garden.
So how did our hometown NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball team get it done tonight (March 25)?
From an early statement dunk by Alijah Martin to four clutch free throws inside of the Elite Eight game’s final 30 seconds, FAU was laser focused all the way through.
Led by head coach Dusty May, the nation’s winningest team found a way to overcome a seven-point deficit in the second half to pull away for the historic win.
We are going to focus on highlight moments here. Let us start with the Martin dunk.
There were key contributions from several FAU players tonight. Here is another big moment.
The entire first half was a back-and-forth affair.
At halftime, FAU had a 42-38 lead over Kansas State.
The second half was when FAU was at its best – especially in the game’s final 10 minutes.
Another big moment for Martin:
Kansas State made a late push for a potential rally as Markqius Nowell (30 points, 12 assists, 3 rebounds) led his team to within one point on two occasions. Here is one of them.
After Forrest knocked down two free throws to give FAU a 79-96 lead over Kansas State, it was one possession left to decide this tilt.
Watch the ending for yourself right here.
And with that, pandemonium set in for our hometown Owls.
The Final Four will be held at NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday, April 1. FAU (East Region champion) will play the San Diego State-Creighton winner (South Region) in the national semifinal.
For now, it is time to celebrate the FAU Owls in style.
PHOTO CREDIT: FAU Men’s Basketball
VIDEO CREDITS: FAU Men’s Basketball and NCAA March Madness
